Vehicles & Servicing I can't find a qualified and trustworthy car mechanic.

After living in Dumaguete for 18 months now. Things are going well in many ways, except in finding a qualified and honest car mechanic. My experience so far is that quite a few don't know what they are doing. And when I do find a good one, I am getting tricked and overcharged heavily.
I drive cars now for almost 40 years, but I have hardly any knowledge about the technical side, it doesn't interest me. Now, for the first time in my life I struggle to keep my car well maintained without being ripped off all the time.
I would be very grateful if anyone here on the forum can give me the name and contact details of a qualified and trustworthy car mechanic in Dumaguete.
Thanks very much!!

 

An honest Mechanic? Do such things exist?

Even back in Oz I struggled to find an honest Mechanic, all the way from quoting $2,500+ Engine Rebuild to replace a $25.00 Crank Angle Sensor to $3,500+ Engine Rebuild to replace a $50.00 Water Pump... The list was endless after 30+ Years of obvious (and some not so obvious) scams to part me with my hard earnt money... eg: I was quoted $1,850.00AUD for just an Air-con Compressor plus Labor before I came here, I found the exact GMH Dealer Brand Compressor online (eBay) for $840.00 landed on my doorstep (along with the TX Valve/ O-Rings etc that were required as a part of the repair) much to the displeasure of the Auto Electrician/Repairer!

In the end I found it best to get the diagnosis done at the Mechanic's, then do the research on parts costing, (places like eBay often sell parts at a much cheaper price than the Mechanic will end up charging you) and then after you do the research and source the necessary parts online, then try and barter a better educated price with the Mechanic before getting the work done...

IF You find a Mechanic in Dumaguete who is competent, PLEASE SHARE with others, as I think that is as good as you will get here (or anywhere else for that matter)

 

I think the answer is quite simple like in your home country, just go the the authorized dealer. They have all the knowledge and their mechanics get updated all the time. Maybe labour a bit more than the guy on the corner of the street, but the saving you should have visiting that guy is not worth the better value of check up etc. @the dealer.

 

Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately my experience with the local authorized dealer is very different. On average they charge double the amount for the combination of parts and labour than the guy on the corner! Plus they can't solve all issues, even after 3 attempts!

 

Thanks mate, and yes, I will share this in case I am successful in my search.

 

keeping the above in mind, do not buy a car for use in Dumaguete if there is no authorized dealer to service it ...
Also keep in mind: If you buy "surplus" (dismantled vehicles shipped to the Philippines from Japan or Korea, then re-assembled when they arrive, and given new Philippine documentation), an authorized dealer will not service it.

 

It's USA law that cars support an OBD reader. I'll go out on a limb and guess that it's easier to just put in all cars, rather than only models destined for the US market. These are very handy little items for things like sensors and resolving check engine lights. They can also be used to clear a trouble code once the faulty item has been replaced. The are very cheap. Some manufactures like MBZ have their own readers that provide more functionality, but they are a lot more expensive. If no check engine light, but you think something is wrong, then you are back to the skill of the mechanic.

DIY Check Engine Light Diagnosis

 

I have heard there is a good Aussie retired mechanic around. Not sure how much work he wants to do as I don't have a car so didn't get any more information than that. Maybe do a post like 'Any expat mechanics around?' to find him. I have a friend in Florida I keep trying to convince to come here and he would have as much mechanic work as he wants. He isn't biting yet.

 

I can recommend Toto, located on the north Hwy left side when going out of town, pretty much opposite the airport road, left of Robert's auto parts.

Kind of a backyard garage, but in my opinion an honest guy. He charges for labor only, and for parts what he himself paid. Or bring your own parts if you want. I wouldn't entrust them a new car for anything complicated though since I doubt they have anything to read out the OBD port mentioned above, but for my 20+ years old Pajero it's a good fit.

 

Is he the same guy with a sign out the front saying he fixes radiators? I've been thinking of going to him for a rad flush and pressure test.